Not just the rejection of truth, punishment for the truth tellers.

[berg80]

No one denies that importers pay the tariff

The premise of trump's tariffs is that they don't.

AI Overview

President Trump has consistently maintained that foreign countries, rather than American consumers, pay for the tariffs he imposes on imported goods. He has frequently described these tariffs as a "tax on another country" and a tool to make the U.S. "rich" and reduce trade deficits.

U.S. trade deficit totaled $901 billion in 2025, barely budging despite Trump’s tariffs​

The U.S. trade deficit swelled in December, closing out a year in which the imbalance was essentially unchanged despite efforts by the Trump administration to close the wide gap.

Closing out a tumultuous year in the global marketplace, the goods and services shortfall in December totaled $70.3 billion, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. That marked an increase of $17.3 billion from November and was well above the Dow Jones consensus estimate of $55.5 billion.

For the full year, the U.S. ran a $901.5 billion deficit, down slightly from 2024 but only by 0.2%, or $2.1 billion. The total was also a bit less than the record $923.7 billion shortfall in 2022.

The report follows a year in which President Donald Trump implemented a series of aggressive tariffs aimed at leveling the global playing field. In April, Trump announced an across-the-board duty of 10% on all imports as well as so-called reciprocal tariffs aimed at specific countries that had run up surpluses against the U.S.

U.S. trade deficit totaled $901 billion in 2025, barely budging despite Trump's tariffs

The U.S. trade deficit swelled in December, closing out a year in which the imbalance was essentially unchanged.

www.cnbc.com

 

[Mac-7]

President Trump has consistently maintained that foreign countries, rather than American consumers, pay for the tariffs he imposes on imported goods. He has frequently described these tariffs as a "tax on another country" and a tool to make the U.S. "rich" and reduce trade deficits.

Trump sometimes uses an oblique argument that when tariffs reduce imports from china that tesults in a losd of income for china

Is that too cute by half?

Of course it is even if true

US consumers pay the tariff

A better argument is that if we raise the price of chinese imports those products will eventually be made in the US again

But that will not happen overnight

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

If you write a paper that wouldn't pass first year econ class analysis and is highly partisan, you should be discplined.

The Trump regime is the epitome of fascism: attack those who tell the truth, promote disinformation and lies.

 

[struth]

A tax on goods is the same as a tax on income??

You really have to ask that? You must not have ever worked or paid taxes

The answer is no

 

[Rawley]

White House eyes punishments for economists who told the truth about tariffs, consumers​

Donald Trump’s top economist didn’t just disagree with consensus economic research, he also suggested he wants to see researchers “disciplined.”

Throughout his second term, Donald Trump has heard economists tell him that American consumers will end up shouldering the increased costs associated with his trade tariffs. The president has consistently rejected those analyses, despite everything we know about Economics 101.

Unfortunately for the White House, almost a year after Trump advanced his tariffs agenda, experts have scrutinized the evidence and concluded that their predictions were correct. From the Congressional Budget Office to international scholars to the National Bureau of Economic Research, all of the available data points in the same direction: American consumers, not foreign companies, are paying more as a result of the Republican president’s policy.

Last week, still more evidence emerged. Research published by economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Columbia University found that, through last fall, 90% of the economic burden from Trump’s tariffs fell on Americans, not foreigners.

The findings didn’t generate a ton of headlines or national discussion, which was understandable. After all, the economists and researchers had simply found evidence that proved what we already knew. That said, the reports made reality clear, in case there were any lingering doubts.

The trouble is, Team Trump doesn’t want economists and researchers to make reality clear.

White House eyes punishments for economists who told the truth about tariffs, consumers

Donald Trump’s top economist didn’t just disagree with consensus economic research, he also suggested he wants to see researchers “disciplined.”

www.ms.now

Economists of all stripes have been naughty boys and girls. For nothing upsets the regime like advertising the facts when they run counter to its narrative. Most especially on Don's signature economic policy. The one he keeps pointing to as raking in a ton of cash.

He, and folks like the dutifully loyal Kevin Hassett, would rather we consumers not know where that cash is coming from. Our wallets. Tariffs equate to a tax on consumption. But don't try to tell Don that. He'll look at you as though you told him he lost the 2020 election. Or climate change is real. Or this isn't the greatest economy known to man. Or vaccines, not disinfectant, are the best way to combat a pandemic.

OK, I'll bite, what "punishment" has Trump threatened?

 

[struth]

The Trump regime is the epitome of fascism: attack those who tell the truth, promote disinformation and lies.

It’s fascist to say that someone that worked for the Fed and wrote a paper that shoukd embarrass a first year Econ student?

You should be ashamed of being so stupid

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

Trump sometimes uses an oblique argument that when tariffs reduce imports from china that tesults in a losd of income for china

Is that too cute by half?

Of course it is even if true

US consumers pay the tariff

A better argument is that if we raise the price of chinese imports those products will eventually be made in the US again

But that will not happen overnight

Trump's tariff agenda is a failure, needlessly increasing costs for Americans.

 

[Zincwarrior]

Yes, of course

Thats how tariffs work

Finally a MAGA admits it.

 

[Mac-7]

Trump's tariff agenda is a failure, needlessly increasing costs for Americans.

Not needlessly unless you are addicted to instant gradification

Trump is building for a better future

 

[Mac-7]

Finally a MAGA admits it.

I have always said that

And so have others

 

[Billiejeens]

Trump sometimes uses an oblique argument that when tariffs reduce imports from china that tesults in a losd of income for china

Is that too cute by half?

Of course it is even if true

US consumers pay the tariff

A better argument is that if we raise the price of chinese imports those products will eventually be made in the US again

But that will not happen overnight

President Trump makes arguments that are for the most part tailored to open minded reasonable people who don't worship others simply because they have some random credentials

 

[westwall]

So now it’s not enough to disparage , there must be punishment

For knowingly lying to the American public?

Sure, if it can be proved that they did it to undermine the USA for the benefit of a foreign power?

You betcha.

 

[toobfreak]

Trump always finds someone else to blame.

Really? I'd like to see your list of the number of times and things that Biden and Obumma all blamed themselves and took responsibility for.

 

[Zincwarrior]

I have always said that

And so have others

Most, including Trump, do not.

 

[Lesh]

For knowingly lying to the American public?

Sure, if it can be proved that they did it to undermine the USA for the benefit of a foreign power?

You betcha.

Knowingly lying?

Hardly

 

[Lesh]

President Trump makes arguments that are for the most part tailored to open minded reasonable people who don't worship others simply because they have some random credentials

That was satire… right?

 

[westwall]

Knowingly lying?

Hardly

Ahhhh, but they have been. Some are simply stupid, so they get a pass. But others have been passing the propaganda they are ordered to.

 

[Lesh]

Ahhhh, but they have been. Some are simply stupid, so they get a pass. But others have been passing the propaganda they are ordered to.

For instance…

Links

 

[westwall]

For instance…

Links

When I am on a computer I will do so.

 

[berg80]

A better argument is that if we raise the price of chinese imports those products will eventually be made in the US again

Is it? You think the US can compete with China on labor costs? Think again. BTW, what you are suggesting is wildly inflationary.